Colleen's POV
So, this is the moment. I followed him to our bedroom and saw him sitting on the couch not too far from the bed but I remained standing. It's not that I am being intimidated, I just didn't want him to think that I was starting to be at home when I just moved in.
"Why don't you sit?" He asked so I sat on the couch adjacent to his and prepared my ears for everything that he wanted to tell me. "Just because we are married, it doesn't mean that I had to look after you. I will do whatever I want and you can do what you want as well. I am not going to force you to be dutiful, I don't care about that." He said.
I nodded my head so he'll know that I understand and waited for him to continue and tell me more about his conditions. "You will be receiving an allowance, but other than that, do not expect more." He continued and I nodded my head again.
"Everything you need in this house, I am going to ask Betty to buy it. So whatever it is that you want to learn, just do it. But as I've said when mom was here, you don't have to please me." He added. "Most of all, stay away from Stacey and never hurt her ever again. I already rode up with her so she doesn't need to suffer anymore." He reminded me.
"Tell me what your conditions are." He told me that I was stunned for a moment. I thought he will never let me voice out what I wanted.
"As for Stacey, whether you believe it or not, I didn't do anything to her." I told him and his face hardened. "For the allowance, and everything you will buy for the house, I thank you and I appreciate that."
"What do you want me to do?" He asked arrogantly. As if telling me that I have no right to make any demands.
"Do whatever that pleases you and will make you happy, responsibly. Life is short and we never know when we will leave this place so enjoy it while you're here." I told him.
He looked puzzled but I did not bother to elaborate to him. "Is there anything else you wanted to say?" I asked but he didn't answer. I stood up and decided to go out of his room.
"About the room," he said, but before he could say another words,
"I asked Betty to clean a room for me. I am not going to stay here. The clothes that Ingrid bought for me, just let those stay here so they don't get any idea." I told him and left. My life may be short but I have my pride as well.
Going down stairs, I started to think if I made the right decision of marrying him. I know that my life will be gone soon so I should have just enjoyed it. Why do I need to agree with mommy Claire with this? Did I somehow think that I will be able to have a family I can cherish even if I had to leave them soon?
"Colleen," I was startled by Betty's. I looked at her and smiled. "Come, look at your room." She said excitedly so I followed her.
She pulled me to the hallway which I later found out that leads to the swimming pool. Before we reached there, we made a left turn. "This is where the maids quarters are, but the end of it was a vacant room and even when they live here, no one stays there." She said, "You wanted some quiet place so this is the best spot for you." She added as we reached a dead end.
Betty opened the door and we walked in. The room was spacious and I liked it. The bed was big and it was clean already. "Look here," Betty called my attention and I looked at what she was showing me.
It was the curtain which she opened and I saw the pool, it was beautiful. She pushed the glass wall that turns out to be a door. "I liked it here Betty." I told her happily.
"Then you can stay here. I will forbid the maids to come here and I will be the one who will clean here regularly as well as Sir Jared's room." She said, smiling.
"Thank you so much Betty. I really appreciate this. I need sunlight every morning." I told her.
"Yes, I can see that. That's why I decided to offer you this room."
"I guess it's clean here so I am going to bring my things here and unpack."
"Everything's right there." She said, "I was planning on unpacking your luggage and arranging your things in the closet but I thought you wouldn't like it if people touched your things." She added.
"It's nothing. But I can do it myself so thank you for stopping yourself from doing everything." I replied.
"Ok, I will leave you here." She said and left.
I look around the room and I can tell that it was a lot more beautiful than my house. To think that it was only a spare here, life really is something.
A lot of people had no roof over their heads while there were people who had so much. A lot of people took their lives when I was desperately asking for it. I think life is unfair. And here I am again, self pitying.
I looked at the corner where my luggage is and started to unpack and arrange all my clothes to the closet. It was big and I only occupied a small part of it.
After I was done, I went outside. I noticed chairs and tables and I instantly thought that I could work there. Jared will be in the office all the time so I guess there will be no problem if I stay here all the time as well.
The room was spacious and the pool side was refreshing. I'm sure I would be able to work in peace. I should be thankful to Betty for being nice and kind to me. I just hope that she would never tell anyone about our setup here. I looked at the pool and said to myself, "So this is married life, huh?"